Going to Kids Night Out is a good time -Once dropped off, children get to play without their parents at YMCA branch.

February 05, 2006|SUE LOWE Tribune Staff Writer

SOUTH BEND -- Lashayla Jones first went to the monthly YMCA Kid's Night Out because "my Mom was exercising." So she did a little exercising of her own. "This place is really good for swimming," said Lashayla, 10, of South Bend. On Saturday she brought along Yahnigua Thomas, who is also 10 but is Lashayla's aunt and Drayashawn Thomas, 7, Yahnigua'a brother. "I like it," It's fun. I like to play basketball," Drayashawn said. They were playing racquetball at the YMCA's Northside Branch but admitted they really didn't know the rules. They weren't the only ones making it up as they went along. "You know we have multi-purposes for this," Anna Martin, a couple of racquetball courts down, said, holding her racquet in front of her face. "It can be a mask or a helmet," she explained. "Don't forget something to hit your little brother," said her twin sister, Carol Martin. The twins, 11, of Mishawaka, then looked innocent and said they were "just kidding." They have been to several Kids Nights Out. There were about 50 children playing basketball or racquetball or swimming Saturday. Parents can drop off children in first through sixth grades for two hours for $5. There are plenty of staff members to watch them including Aaron Bechtel, youth and family director of the facility. Staff members refer to him as another kid because he has so much fun. "I have a great time with this," he admits. Kids Night Out is usually the first Saturday of the month and the number of children attending seems to be growing.Staff writer Sue Lowe: slowe@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6557